Maharashtra to introduce non-invasive autopsies: Fadnavis

Mumbai, Jul 8 (PTI) Maharashtra will introduce non-invasive post-mortem examinations to make the procedure error-free and start the initiative from two Mumbai hospitals, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the legislative council on Wednesday. He said 90 per cent of the autopsies will be performed in non-evasive manner and the remaining 10 per cent in both, manually as well in non-invasive way. Replying to a question in the council, Fadnavis said for many years, post-mortem, a procedure aimed at determining the cause of death of a person, was not allowed after sunset. For long autopsies were not allowed after sunset. Concessions have been given at some places (hospitals) having adequate infrastructure to conduct the procedure after sunset, but not everywhere. The intention behind not allowing autopsies after sunset earlier was to ensure nothing was missed due to low artificial light, the CM explained. He said, "90 to 95 per cent post-mortems are conducted in the world in non-invasive way. The first such initiative will take place in Mumbai" and added the high-tech machine involved in this kind of the procedure can see what human eyes cannot. Fadnavis said the machine will be introduced at the state government's Sir JJ Hospital in the metropolis and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation run-KEM Hospital. Tenders have been floated and set up for the machine will be established in the next two-three months. Human oversight will be there during non-invasive post-mortems, but there will be requirement of less manpower, he told the House. Notably, a non-invasive post-mortem undertakes internal examination of the body using a scanner that produces digital images. PTI PR RSY